Horse-checking device



(No Model.)

P. X. LUSSIER. HORSE GHECKING DEVICE.

No. 589,181. Patented Aug. 31,1897.

UNrFFn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK X. russian, oF sAN Jose, CALIFORNIA.

HORSE-CHECK'ING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,181, dated-August 31, 1897'.

Application filed January 20, 1897. Serial No. 619,958. (No model.)

To LZZ whom, t 77mg/ concern,.-

Be it known that I, FRANK X. LUSSIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at San J os, in the county of Santa Clara and State of California, have invented a new and useful Horse-Checking Device, of which the follow/ing is aspecilication. A

This invention has for its object the provision of simple means', easy of operation, for releasing the checkrein or overdraw to permit a horse to drink or graze when in harness and again to fasten the check-line without requiring the dismounti'n g or unseating of the driver or other person in the vehicle for this purpose.`

The improvement takes the place of the ordi-nary check-hook and securely fastens the check-line or overdraw and places the same under the control of the driver or occupant of a vehicle, whereby the check-line can be released or secured at will.

For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the invention reference is to be had to the accompanying 'drawings and the following description.

The improvement is susceptible of-various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and to a full disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure lis a perspective view of the i-1nproved horse-checking device. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of the front guide. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the rear guide. Fig. 5 is a view of the rear end of th front section of the case.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the several views of the drawings by the same reference-characters.

The case for inclosing the operating parts is composed of a front section l and a rear section 2, which are connected together so as to be readily separable to' admit of access being had to the working parts for any required -purpose'- The middle portion of the case is enlarged and forms a stop to hold the casein place when applied to the harness-saddle.

Front and rear guides 3 and 4 are attached vto the tree or other convenient portion of a harness-saddle and support and hold the device in position. The upper portion of the front guide is apertured to receive the front section of the case, and its base portion is expanded so as to secure an extended bearing on the tree, tol which it is secured in any substantial manner. -The rear guide has its upper portion formed similar to the corresponding portion of the front guide and receives the rear section of the case, and its base portion 5 is expanded and formed with a socket, in which is fitted the rear end of the saddle, thereby holding the guide against displacement in any direction. By removing either guide the case may be det-ached at the pleasure of the attendant.

A barrel 6 is removably fitted within the front section of the case and its inner end engages with a shoulder or stop 7 at the inner end of the part 1, so as to retain the barrel in proper position. A rod 8 is slidably fit-ted Within the barrel G and its front end is threaded t-o receive a plug 9, which is supplied with an eye 10, having swivel connection. therewith. A coil-spring` 11 is placed upon the rod 8 and is confined between the plug 9 and an inner shoulder 12 at the inner or rear end of the barrel and serves to normally hold the rod in a retracted position or wit-hin the barrel. The rear end of the rod 8 is enlarged and pointed and is reduced a short distance from the point, forming a neck 13, and the base portion of the point or head bordering upon the rneck 13 is undercut or made hollow, so as to receive a projection or lip 14: of a pivoted catch 1'5, whereby positive engagement is had between these parts at all times, which is essential to the effectiveness of the device, thereby preventing accidental disengagement or release of the rod 8 by reason of the motion of the horse or from any other cause im parting a sudden jar or movement to the device. The check-line or overdraw is snapped into or otherwise connected with the eye 10. A chain, cord, or strap 1G has i connection with the rear end of the rod 8 and passes through the rear section 2 of the case and is provided with a button 17 to be pulled uponeither to effect a release of the rod S or to place the same in posit-ion to be engaged by the catch l5. This butt-on 17 forms a stop and prevents the operatiu g chain or cord 1G from being drawn through the case when the rod 8 is liberated.

The catch l5 is semicircular or curved throughout its length and is pivoted at one end to the inner or rear end of the section l and is adapted to operate across the path of the rod S, so as to engage with the head thereof and retain it in place against the action of the spring ll and the strain upon the overdraw or check-line. The lip or projection 14,- interlocks with the head of the rod and secures the latter against accidental release. The inner or rear end of the section l is recessed or chambered, thereby forming a housing for the catch.

rPhe device being secured to the harnesssaddle in the manner set forth or in any other convenient way, and the check-line or overdraw heilig connected with the rod 8 and the latter engaged with the catch l5, and it being required to release the animal for wateringorany other purpose, the line 1G is pulled upon, thereby drawing the rod 8 rearwardly and withdrawing the catch l5 from engagement therewith, and upon releasing the lille I6 quickly the spring ll will shoot the rod S forward and by the catch l5 before the latter has had time to settle and engage with the head of the rod, whereby the check-line is released and the animal free to drink or graze. To secure the overdraw or check-line, the chain, cord, or line l5 is pulled upon, thereby drawing the barrel (i back into the case and the head of the rod 8 beyond the catch 15, and by slacking the line lb slowly the catch 15 will automatically engage with the head of the rod and retain the parts in place, as previously described.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. In a horse-checking device, a case, a barrel removably fitted within the case, a rod located within the barrel and adapted to have the check-line and the release-line connected therewith, a spring arranged within the barrel and operating upon the said rod, and a catch carried by the case and adapted to engage with the said rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a horse-checking device, the combi nation of a case, a catch operating at right angles to the case and having a projection or lip, and a rod adapted to have the release and check lines connected therewith and having a tapering head hollowed out at its inner end to receive the aforesaid lip or projection and having a neck portion in front of the tapering head, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In a horse-checking device, the combination of a case, a barrel removably and slidably fitted therein, a rod slidably mounted within the barrel and having a tapering head, a plug having adjustable con nection with the rod, a spring mounted upon the rod, located within the barrel, and confined between the said plug and a shoulder or stop of the barrel, the said rod having the check and release lines connected therewith, and a catch provided on the case to engage with the head of the rod, substantially in the manner set forth for the purpose described.

4. In a horse-checking device, the combination of a case comprising corresponding sections having a chamber formed between their inner or opposing ends, a catch located in the said chamber, a rod removably and slidably fitted within the front Section of the case and having a tapering end or head to bc engaged by the said catch, and adapted to have the check and release lines connected therewith, and a spring for giving an initial impetus to the rod to shoot it by the catch when suddenly released, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In ahorse-checking device, the combination of a case, a catch applied thereto, a barrel removably and slidably fitted within the case and having an inner shoulder or stop, a headed rod slidably fitted within the barrel and having a threaded end, a plug mounted upon the threaded end of the rod, and a spring located within the barrel and confined between its shoulder and the aforesaid plug, stl bstantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

(i. The combination with a harness-saddle, of front and rear guides, a two-part case fitted in the guides and having an enlarged portion between its ends, a catch attached to the case, a barrel removably and slidably fitted within the case, and a spring-actuated rod slid-ably mounted within the barrel and adapted to bc engaged by the said catch and to have the check and release lines connected therewith, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A horse-checking device comprising a case formed of front and rear sections having a chamber between their inner or opposing ends, a catch having a lip or projection located within the said chamber, a barrel 0perating within the front section of the case and having an inner shoulder, a rod, a plug adjusta-bly connected with the rod, a spring placed within the barrel and confined between the said plug and shoulder thereof, an eye having a swivel connection with the said plug and adapted to have the check-line attached thereto, and a release-line operating through the rear section of the case and connected with the rear end ot' the aforesaid rod, and provided with a button, substantially as described for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aliixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK X. LUSSIER.

Witnesses:

J. E. ALEXANDER, W. F. .TAMEs.

IOC

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